On this 10-day cycling tour, you will see the highlights of North Macedonia, Albania, and Montenegro. If you are curious about the Balkan peninsula and are an avid cyclist, check out this phenomenal journey! Spend the first portion of the trip in North Macedonia, a country that claimed independence in 1991, and has a fascinating history beyond that. You’ll have a guided cycle tour of Skopje, the capital, and enjoy many traditional dinners with your group. Matka Canyon, a stunning region, lies close to Skopje, so you’ll ride from the city into the canyon with a break near Vrelo Cave for a boat exploration into the deepest underwater cave in Europe. Cycle within Mavrovo National Park to discover its pristine lakes and sweeping views of grassy, rocky hills around you. Your guide will keep you apprised of the religious and cultural relevance of all the sights you pass. Once you head into Albania, you’ll notice a different kind of typical structure as you ride through the villages. Albania is a majority Muslim country, so rather than the churches you saw in North Macedonia, you’ll begin to notice the gorgeous domes of mosques and hear the call to prayer five times each day. The terrain in Albania varies as you move from the inland regions towards the coast. You’ll hit the largest lake in the Balkans and head north into Montenegro. You spend the last few days of the tour in Montenegro near the coast of the Adriatic Sea. Ride along the Adriatic Highway to reach Kotor and revel in the beauty of one of the most scenic road sections of the tour. Wander the streets of Kotor on your last night, soaking up the Mediterranean-meets-medieval vibes of this seaside city. This 10-day cycling tour includes a wide range of terrain and cultures—it’s jam-packed! If you want to experience cycling through mountains in North Macedonia, then riding along the coast in Albania and Montenegro, you’ve found your tour. Oh, and you can always top off each night with a shot of rakija, the local potent brandy distilled from fermented fruit. Day 1: Skopje City Tour. Welcome to North Macedonia! When you arrive at the airport, your guide will meet you and bring you to your accommodation in Skopje centre to settle in. You’ll try your bike right away with a cycle tour of Skopje once everyone in your group has arrived. A quick history lesson from your guide will give context to the sights you see on this quick jaunt around the capital city. Known as the epicentre of politics, culture, economics, and academia, Skopje has much to admire. Enjoy a group dinner, and get acquainted with your adventure crew. Rest up for an unforgettable adventure in the days ahead! Day 2: Cycle to Matka Canyon. Fuel up on a hearty breakfast to prepare for a big day. Leaving directly from the hotel on your bike, you’ll first head along the Vardar River towards the base of Mount Vodno, on top of which stands the Millennium Cross. Continue along the route, passing by several villages built among forested and rocky terrain until reaching Matka Canyon. Admire its natural beauty with large, steep rockfaces coming out of a pristine blue-green river. Take a break at the canyon for a boat excursion to Cave Vrelo, one of Europe’s deepest underwater caves. You’ll have transportation waiting to take you to Mavrovo National Park at the end of the day, where you’ll have dinner and get a good night’s sleep among nature. Day 3: Mavrovo National Park & Ride to Lake Ohrid. Enjoy your breakfast with unspoiled mountain views. On today’s big ride you’ll cover a lot of ground, leaving directly from the accommodation. Follow the perimeter of the artificial Mavrovo Lake along an incredibly scenic road lined with massive rock formations, river views, and centuries-old monasteries. Break the ride up with a stop in Debar, a town that sits next to a lake of the same name, Lake Debar. Sip a coffee for some extra fuel or try the local drink boza—fermented corn juice. With a little extra energy from your stop in Debar, keep riding towards Struga in the northern part of Lake Ohrid. Rest your legs for the remainder of the journey to Ohrid in your private transport. Have dinner in Ohrid and settle into your hotel in this UNESCO-protected lakeside town. Day 4: Transfer to Albania & Bike to Korca. After breakfast, it’s time to head to the next country on the itinerary. You’ll receive a transfer to the Albanian border and start riding your bike on a wide path to Pogradec. The views surrounding you will be of Lake Ohrid, which straddles the border of North Macedonia and Albania. En route, you’ll notice remnants of the area’s communist history. Follow the flow of the Black Drin River and pause at some natural springs. Continue to climb a bit until the road levels out on the way to Korca, where you’ll have dinner and a comfortable bed to rest. Day 5: Cycle through the Grammoz Mountains. Fuel up on breakfast and strong coffee—you’ll endure some ascending today among the Grammoz Mountains. Ride up through Barmash Pass at 1,159 m / 3,802 ft with a short descent to your lunch spot in Erseke, the highest town in Albania at 1,020 m / 3,346 ft. You’ll be awarded epic views as you bike through rocky peaks and wildflower-covered plateaus. The Vjosa River runs through today’s route, which winds through an immense gorge. Then, what goes up must come down! It’s time to descend one of the most scenic sections of the entire tour, eventually landing in Carshove and continuing along the river to a few other villages where you can stop for a snack or a shot of rakija to celebrate the completion of that ride. In the evening, you’ll visit the thermal pools and stunning surroundings of Lengarica Canyon. You’ll spend the night in the village of Benje. Day 6: Explore Gjirokaster. Today’s ride will take you through various Albanian terrain from jagged peaks to deep gorges and open plains. Along the way, visit Gjirokaster, known for its cultural heritage and museums, and one of the most charming towns in Albania. One thousand steps lead to the right of the town, which we will explore after settling into the hotel in the afternoon. Take a guided tour through the old town, which UNESCO recognizes as a heritage site. This town, perched on a slope, feels medieval with its cobblestone streets and abundance of traditional structures, namely the citadel hugging the cliffside. Sip on some Albanian wine or try some local dishes like pashaqofte, a meatball soup, before settling in for sleep. Day 7: Transfer across Albania. Eat breakfast leisurely, knowing you have a rest day today. After you finish your meal, you’ll be transferred to your destination for the night in Albania with a few cultural stops along the tour. First, you’ll stop in Berat, a town protected by UNESCO and known for its magical Byzantine-era buildings. Continue in the car to the capital city Tirana for a walking sightseeing tour, noting evidence of the country’s communist period. You’ll end the day in Shkodra—a historically relevant town situated near the largest lake in the Balkans, Lake Skadar, which straddles the Montenegrin border. Enjoy a traditional dinner and rest up for tomorrow’s ride. Day 8: Ride into Montenegro. After breakfast, you will head into the final country on this itinerary, Montenegro. Ride along a paved road to the city of Ulcinj for a short visit, admiring the views of the Adriatic Sea and welcoming the breeze. Continue riding for another 30 km north with sea views to your left and hilly views to your right until reaching Bar, a pertinent port town on the coast. Enjoy a lovely Montenegrin dinner, stroll the cobblestone walkways, and settle into your hotel to rest. Day 9: Cycle the Adriatic Highway to Kotor. On your final day of this cycling tour, you’ll ride one of the most scenic routes in the Balkans. The road is known as the Adriatic Highway, and for a good reason—it hugs the Adriatic Sea coastline for almost the entire route. You’ll appreciate the wind in your hair as you climb and descend along this road heading north from Bar to Kotor. Once you reach Kotor, you’ll check in to your hotel then meet the group to go on a locally-guided city walk of the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Meander the magical streets as you soak up your last night of this adventure tour. Day 10: Farewell. Enjoy one last meal with your new pals and pack up to head home. You’ll get a transfer to Podgorica Airport when it’s time for your flight. This guided cycling tour is always run as a private tour for your group only. This tour can be customized for you, and prices depend on group size, room types, trip customizations, and date of travel. 9 breakfasts, 8 lunches, and 9 dinners are included. All 9 nights are included in the tour. Transport for you and your luggage is included throughout the tour, including the airport transfers. While riding, your luggage will be transported to the accommodations. In case of emergencies or technical difficulties, or if you need a break, an assistance vehicle will be available (but not permanently available to hop in whenever you want). English-speaking guide services Map of North Macedonia, Ohrid, and Skopje The hotels on this trip are 3- and 4-star. Rooms are double occupancy, and single travelers will pay a supplement. In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations. We rate this tour as a 3 / 5, just about a 4/5 difficulty. You should be comfortable with cycling on moderately difficult terrain up to 75 km daily. Yes, it is mandatory to have Health and Medical insurance to join this trip. The tour guide is English-speaking. The tour ends in Kotor, Montenegro, with a drop-off at the Podgorica Airport. The best time to travel to North Macedonia, Albania, and Montenegro for cycling is from mid-April to September. Experience a private trip led by a highly-vetted local guide taking you to places most travellers never see.
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A dedicated guide for this region is not available yet.
